Twylah R. Thomas, 78, New Knoxville, died July 3, 2009, at Otterbein Cridersville Nursing Home, following a brief illness.

She was born Sept. 12, 1930, in Auglaize County, to Richard and Mary Howell Eschmeyer. On June 1, 1952, she married Walter "Red" Thomas, who died Sept. 7, 2007.

Surviving are two sisters, Ruth (Gene) Opperman and Donna Larson, all of New Knoxville; and a nephew and two nieces.

Deceased is a sister, Martha Eschmeyer.

A 1948 graduate of New Knoxville High School, she also graduated in 1951 from Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing, Dayton. She worked the next nine years with Dr. George McElroy, Celina. The last 21 years of her career were in El Paso, Texas, where she served as director of a combined intensive care/cardiovascular unit. She retired in 1997 and moved back to New Knoxville. During retirement, she worked part time as a nurse at Joint Township Hospital in St. Marys.

Services are 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, New Knoxville, the Rev. David Williams officiating. Burial is at Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, New Knoxville.

Calling is 5-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to Radio Broadcast Fund of the First United Church of Christ, New Knoxville.